Researchers explore molecular 'poles'

niversity-led research team has devised a method to determine the alignment of a molecule's axis--the "poles" that govern how a molecule will interact with others. The advancement may help scientists and engineers predict the ways that atoms and molecules exchange energy, possibly enhancing solar energy devices or helping biochemists better understand proteins.

The research, appearing in last week's issue of Physical Review Letters, shows how a tightly focused laser employing a new kind of polarization can produce valuable images of individual molecules in three dimensions.

The new method takes a snapshot of a phenomenon called the "molecular dipole moment." This "moment" is an axis that runs through the molecule like a north and south pole, along which energy is emitted and absorbed. If two molecules are positioned so that their poles align, they are more likely to exchange energy. If they are completely misaligned, then an interaction is more difficult. Researchers hope to someday control the alignment to direct chemical reactions at the atomic level.

"By imaging the dipole movement of certain molecules we can see exactly how certain chemical reactions happen," says Lukas Novotny, assistant professor of optics at the University.

Novotny sees many applications for molecular dipole moments. "Cells in the body communicate through proteins located in their membranes. During an exchange of information, the shape of the proteins changes. By attaching molecular markers to the protein and monitoring their orientation and position, we should be able to better understand communication between cells."

Tracking the dipole moments may also shed light on how cancer cells grow in colonies. Novotny predicts that someday molecular dipole moments may be controlled, allowing for quick, custom-made molecule alignment or data storage, since the orientation of the dipole moment could stand for a one or zero.

Maintained by University Public Relations
Please send your comments and suggestions to:
Public Relations.